Well that's going to make negotiations a bit trickier.
From The Hill:
02/21/22 01:39 PM EST
The Kremlin on Monday said Russian President Vladimir Putin will recognize as independent two breakaway territories in eastern Ukraine, multiple outlets reported.
The move is likely to set up a confrontation with Kyiv and its Western allies that are poised to push back on potential, large-scale Russian military aggression.
The Kremlin said in a statement Putin intends to sign a decree recognizing the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic, which are in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, as independent, according to The New York Times. The Kremlin further said the Russian president received pushback from the leaders in France and Germany over the decision during a phone call.
“The president of France and the Federal Chancellor of Germany expressed their disappointment with this development. At the same time, they indicated their readiness to continue contacts,” the Kremlin said in a statement.....
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China Will Not Intervene Or Supply Aid Should Texas Decide To Secede
No word on whether Montana recognizes the breakaway regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan.